Meaning “place of reeds” in Yucatec Maya, Aké Yucatan is 32 kilometers / 20 miles from Mérida in the municipality of Tixkokob. Just a few years ago, the dirt road and overgrown vegetation leading to Aké made the trek rough for most vehicles and their paint jobs. Thankfully, there is now a proper road, and…
Beyond the areas where most tourists venture in Chichén Itzá, lies a lesser-known but fascinating architectural complex dedicated to the ruler: K’inich Janaab’ Pakal. No, not the legendary Pakal the Great of Palenque — this is a different king whose legacy is etched into the red-painted walls of the enigmatic Casa Colorada. This structure, also…
The multi-generational conflict between the Mayan cities of Tikal and Calakmul, referred to as the “Star Wars,” was a series of intense political and military struggles during the later centuries of the Classic Period (250–900 CE). These wars were not just between Calakmul and Tikal but involved a network of alliances and proxy conflicts with…
There is something profound about standing atop Tikal’s famed Temple IV as the first light of dawn breaks over the jungle canopy. A sunrise expedition to Tikal, Guatemala’s most iconic archaeological site, is more than just another tour — it’s an experience that stays with you. But things do not start there, and like anything…
The grandeur of Teotihuacán is hard to overstate, and it’s easy to see why the famed Aztecs thought the great city lay at center of the universe
Xcaret is a Mayan archaeological site located on the Caribbean coast within the privately owned theme park of the same name. In the Yucatec-Mayan language, xcaret means “small inlet.” But in antiquity, the name of the port city was p’ole’, which was derived from the root p’ol, which means “merchandise” or “deal of merchants.”
Sitting atop a natural hill high above the banks above the confluence of the Macal and Mopan rivers lay the ruins of one of Belize’s most ancient and unique archaeological sites.
Walking through Chichén Viejo’s arch, the splendor and scope of the site begins to come into focus
Mexico City is famous for its world-class museums, excellent cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. However, as anyone who has even skimmed the history of this megalopolis knows, its roots trace back further than any other city on its scale in North America. Well before there was Mexico City, also known as CDMX, there was the mighty…
We are pleased to announce three upcoming tours guided by Carlos Rosado van der Gracht for the fall/winter season. The experiences range from excursions to uncover Mérida’s ancient past to day trips to the most underrated sites in Yucatán; as well as an adventure to Mexico City where we will dive into some of the…
The focus of this expedition is to discover the wonders of some lesser-visited Maya Puuc sites, including seldom visited Chacmultún in the municipality of Tekax, as well as Labná and Sayil.
The ancient city of Altun Há was once one of the most important Mayan cities in Northern Belize. Today it’s among the most visited attractions in this tiny Central American country, especially by cruisegoers arriving at Belize city’s nearby port.
The Maya are renowned for many achievements, but arguably their most enduring legacy is the remains of their architectural feats. Most folks associate Maya architecture with temples and pyramids, but ballcourts, astronomical observatories and elite residential palaces are often just as impressive. When we throw around the term Maya architecture, we should be talking about…
Xlapak has long been considered the “lesser” of all the Maya Puuc sites open to the public. Much of this has to do with the fact that for a long time, only a single restored structure was accessible to visitors. But thanks to recent improvements to the site’s infrastructure, new trails have been carved through…
Ten miles south of Uxmal’s majestic ancient Puuc capital is San Simón, a tiny community where people live off the land, much like their Maya ancestors. In San Simón, cell phone service and amenities are limited to a small shop selling the basics. The nearest options for anything more than that are Muna or Santa…
Monte Alban was easily among the largest and most influential city-states during early Mesoamerican history. Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century BCE, Monte Alban flourished for 1,500 years. Its eventual collapse coincides roughly with the fall of the great classic Maya city-states of the Petén, such as Tikal, over 800 miles away….
If you asked most people in Yucatán if they have ever heard of Tahcabó, you would unlikely get many nods. But for locals, Tahcabó is far from some random backwater but rather “an ancient gem, uncorrupted by time,” as described by 72-year-old Don Emilio, who has lived in the community of just under 400 people…
The discovery of an extensive stone panel including 123 Maya hieroglyphs sheds light on previously unknown details about the ancient city of Cobá in Quintana Roo. The ancient stones tell of a previously unknown ruler of Cobá who went by the name of K’awiil Ch’ak Chéen. Thus, the K’awiil dynasty, now known to have comprised…
Caracol is a large ancient Mayan city located in Belize’s Cayo District and just a few kilometers from the Guatemalan border.
If you hear howls coming from the nearby jungle, don’t be alarmed. The howler monkeys that inhabit the jungle are very peaceful.
Unlike virtually every other Maya city or settlement, Comalcalco was built using bricks rather than limestone masonry.
Exploring the rarely visited Mayan city of Xoch in the Puuc Valley.
When traveling east on the Mérida-Valladolid toll-free highway, about 20 kilometers before reaching Pisté, some disheveled old signs point you in the direction of the archaeological site of Yaxuná, Yucatán. The small towns you will pass on your way are beautiful, though a little run down. The area is full of old haciendas, cenotes, and…
Explore Ek Balam for its famous Acropolis’ elaborate stucco reliefs, which are some of the most striking and well-preserved examples of artwork in all of Mesoamerica.
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